WINNERS ARE HERE - Where's the line to See Jesus?

[jblovez2read]

Who’s Line Are You In?

Santa Claus. “The big, fat man with the long, white beard,” sings Michael Buble. You know, the jolly fellow that everyone makes sure gets their wishes.

He does seem like a nice fellow. A grandfatherly-type with a big smile. Who wouldn’t want to stand in a line to see him? In fact, we do stand in line! Some very . . . long . . . lines. No waiting is too long.

Yet, when we look a little closer, something’s not quite right. Santa’s gifts are based on performance. What does he always ask the children?

“Were you a good little boy this year?”

“Yes, Santa, I was.”

“Very good! What would you like to have for Christmas?”

What happens, then, when they aren’t “good?” No gifts. Just some coal to put in the fire to keep them warm. Or at least, that’s the legend.

You have to earn Santa’s admiration before he will give you something. You can’t just be.

What if there was another line? Not one for a jolly old man who will only give you something if you “deserve” it, but one for a person who doesn’t care so much about how good you are.

He cares about you. He knows that no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, it always seems to fall short. And there’s always a bit of disappointment.

Would he give us a gift? Yes. He would give us a gift that would not only be eternal life, but it would also free us from our own worst enemy: ourselves.

And there would be lots of love in the process. Lots of hugs and kisses and reassurances that we don’t need to do anything to earn his approval.

Would you stand in a very . . . long . . . line to sit on his lap?

I know I would.


Jennifer Barker
www.searchingandgrowing.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OE ... &vq=medium

[dawn]

Beckey Kelley's song, Where's the Line to See Jesus? brought the following story to mind. You may view her video/song at http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OE ... &vq=medium

“Excuse me,” nine year-old Troy tapped a young mother’s arm. “Is this the line to see Jesus?”
A few kids snickered. “No. This is the line for Santa.” She pointed at the candy cane themed stage under a “MERRY X-MAS” sign. Santa gripped a squirming toddler who squealed as the camera flashed.

Why do kids wait in line and set out cookies for a fake Santa that looks more like a jolly tomato? Troy thought. It’s Jesus’ birthday!

“Is the line to see Jesus in the mall?” Troy gently tugged the lady’s sweater.

“No … but there’s a nativity scene beside the church down the street.” She pointed north.

Crunch, crunch. Troy wasted no time. He ignored the cold snow slipping inside his worn sneakers. I know Jesus lives in heaven now. But if I could just see someone dressed like Him― like the Santa guys―maybe He’d seem more real.

Troy never gave much thought about why Jesus came to earth. Not until his neighbor, Mr. Langley, explained: “Our sin separates us from God because He is holy. Jesus loved us so much that He came to earth and died on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins. When we accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and eternal life, He washes our sins away.”

Troy gasped as he neared the church. Black spray paint stained the scene. A manger lay upside down. Figures toppled. Where was baby Jesus? This chilled him more than the brisk wind.
Oddly, the surrounding snow glistened in the sun―a perfect Christmas picture ruined. His eyes shifted back to the black paint. I wonder if this is how my sin looks to God.Then he remembered: Jesus came to cleanse my sins.

The wind hushed as a peace settled over Troy. Although he couldn’t see Him, Troy felt Jesus calling him―somewhere deep inside his soul. He remembered Mr. Langley’s words about receiving Jesus’ gift.

I want the real deal. Troy bowed his head. Dear Jesus, please forgive my sins. Come live in my heart and be my Lord. Thank you. Troy couldn’t wait to tell Mr. Langley. And, he didn’t even have to wait in line. This is the best gift ever!

[mikeedwards]

Moved here by Mike

Re: Ask Questions Here About Any Contest in Progress
by RADKHAN » Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:58 pm

Where is the line for Jesus?
As I was walking through one of the malls in Toronto this Christmas season, I couldn’t help but wonder what we were celebrating at this time of the year. It seemed that all the decorations, and the Santa’s booth was geared to selling and receiving gifts. The Santa’s booth was big enough to put up a small house and it was filled with decorations and Christmas music – the music had nothing to do with the real celebration of the season, but it was drawing a crowd of adults with or without kids. The line up to see and sit on Santa’s lap was long – they had young people (dressed in red as “elves”) encouraging them to sign up to have a picture with Santa, and to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. I stopped for a few minutes and wondered to myself, “How many of those parents and kids knew the real meaning of Christmas?”
I came home and received the link to this song, “Where is the line for Jesus?” It caused me to reflect on my own childhood, and I couldn’t recall such a scene as I had witnessed in the mall a few minutes ago. Most of the stores and houses in my country of birth had the underlying theme of the birth of Christ. I remembered that we use to walk around the stores, and drive around the city looking at the decorations – even though I had no concept of the true meaning of the reason for the season at that time in my life, I knew that it was a special time of the year. A different reason to celebrate, and the gifts we received had a deeper meaning to it more than it does today.
Something was just different about that time of the year, and the scenes of the manger added to that awe, as people of all colour and faith would stop at such scenes and in some essence, pay homage to the birth of Christ. I can’t help but wonder the impact and influence such scenes had on both adults and kids alike. I know that it was imbedded in my own mind and caused me to seek out the truth in my later years. Santa was present in some of the bigger stores, but tucked away in a corner so as not to impede the flow of traffic and sales – I cannot ever recall asking to go and see him or to have a picture with him, but up to this day I still remember the crib scenes, and this song brought back those memories...I wonder if we had big scenes of the manger, or decorations to reflect the real reason for the season, with songs to reflect the birth of Christ and the reason for his birth, if there will be a line up to see Jesus....after all, He gives the greatest gifts, not what we want, but what we need.
Where is the line to see Jesus?

[mikeedwards]

This is the Deadline FaithWriters




The judges have already told me this is a tough one. Lots of great articles in the mix. The winners will be posted on Sunday evening (12-23) before 9pm.

Please keep your eyes open for the January contest that will have paid writing assignments for the top two winners. The ministry we are promoting is an International Ministry. They are involved in many projects. One of the unique things about this ministry is that it is self funded and 100% of donated funds goes directly to the projects. They hold nothing back.

There will be a very simple way to add links to your articles in that they will come pre-built in a paragraph that you can tag on your entry. There will also be a few videos and a new very easy and quick way to get motivated and write without much research if any.

This new contest will start January 1st and run through the entire month.

Thank You for your entry in this contest.

God Bless and Merry Christmas, Mike & Bea

[itsjoanne]

Congratulations to the winners! There were SO many good entries here! You guys are awesome

[Shann]

Did I miss seeing who won Joanne or were you just congratulating them in general? Did that make sense? I figured since you didn't do your wooting it was a congratulations overall.

I'm impressed with everyone who entered. I've wanted to the last two times but have allowed my fear or nerves hold me back. I even had a story in my mind for this topic so everyone who enters is a winner!

[mikeedwards]

Winners are listed at the beginning of this foum on page one.

[Shann]

Thanks Mike! I saw in your other post that it would be out by Sunday so I didn't even think of looking.

[Writetrack]

CONGRATS TO THE WINNERS!

I agree with Joanne...so many wonderful entries!